Video games are an expensive hobby. Whether you’re buying a brand new console or buying the latest releases, keeping your digital library up to date with the latest games can be costly. Fortunately, this is starting to change. In recent years, more and more publishers are starting to use the free-to-play model, allowing players to play good Nintendo Switch games without paying a cent.
We’ve taken a look at some of the best free games available on Nintendo Switch and compiled a list so you can enjoy great games without putting too much strain on your wallet. From battle royales and fighting games to management sims and platformers, let’s run through the fourteen best free games available on console.
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Fortnite
Arguably the biggest free-to-play game available right now, Fortnite has gone from being an ambitious multiplayer shooter to a cultural giant. The goal of the game is simple: defeat 99 other players in open battle and be the last one standing. You enter a huge world and must quickly hunt down equipment, find weapons, build structures and destroy other players along the way. Meanwhile, the boundaries of the map will begin to narrow, directing you to the central arena, where you will fight for the crown of the winner.
On paper, Fortnite is a fairly standard battle royale shooter, but over the years, its scope has grown far beyond the genre. Whether it’s new game modes, crossovers, in-game concerts, movie screenings, or an ever-expanding story with interactive events, Fortnite is now a multimedia sensation. All Fortnite multiplayer modes are free to play, microtransactions are limited to cosmetics and the Season Battle Pass.
Read our Fortnite Review or check more games like fotnite.
Fall Guys: Absolute Knockout
Combining a colorful mascot platformer and battle royale genre, Mediatonic’s Fall Guys was first launched in 2020. It has since gone free-to-play, opening its doors to new players looking to experience a unique brand of multiplayer platformer. You can enjoy all Fall Guys multiplayer modes for free, paid content is limited to an in-game cosmetics store and a premium season battle pass with unique unlocks.
For those unfamiliar with Fall Guys, the game sees 100 players take on the role of bumbling bean rivals pitted against each other in a high-stakes game show that progresses through a series of increasingly difficult rounds. Imagine Human: Fall Flat meets Takeshi’s castle. The last player standing is the winner and earns valuable points that can be redeemed for new costumes, emotes, and more. Fall Guys has grown significantly in the years since its debut, the game has gone through multiple seasons and added many new stages.
Read our Autumn Guys Review.
rocket league
A chaotic mix of arcade racing and football, Rocket League has been a staple of the free-to-play game ever since it switched to that model in 2020. Up to 8 players battle each other as they try to launch the giant soccer ball. into the opponent’s goal using small racing cars, Rocket League is easy to pick up but hard to master. Players will have to work effectively as a team to defend against opponents and score stylish goals.
Thanks to its huge community, Rocket League is arguably one of the most popular multiplayer games in the gaming space right now. It’s also updated frequently, with developer Psyonix regularly adding new seasons, events, game modes, and cosmetic items. All Rocket League multiplayer modes are free to play and players can purchase cosmetic items from the in-game store.
Read our Rocket League Review.
Apex Legends
After developing Titanfall and its sequel, Respawn Entertainment entered the free-to-play battle royale game market with Apex Legends. Set in the same universe as Titanfall, Apex Legends adapted the genre with a twist, creating a battle royale mixed with a team hero shooter.
After choosing a hero from a large roster, players form squads of three, using their unique abilities to defeat rival teams and try to be the last squad standing. Since launch, the game has been updated frequently with new seasons and game modes. All Apex Legends multiplayer modes are completely free to play, and heroes can be unlocked with currency earned while playing. As for his microtransactions, players can buy cosmetics and pay to unlock heroes instantly.
Read our Apex Legends review.
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2, the second iteration of Blizzard’s acclaimed multiplayer team-based shooter, launched in late 2022 and welcomed a host of new players. With a focus on 5v5 battles, players choose a hero and fight the opposing team, using their character’s abilities to support squadmates and win the game.
Overwatch 2 is constantly evolving, with Blizzard adding new events and frequently updating the game. All Overwatch 2 multiplayer modes are free to play, and heroes can be unlocked by playing matches (alternatively, they can all be unlocked for a one-time fee through the Hero Pack). Microtransactions are limited to unlocking cosmetics and purchasing the Season Battle Pass.
Read our Overview of Overwatch 2.
Warframe
One of the longest running games on the list, Warframe first released in 2013. In the decade since, it has become a staple on consoles, offering users a free-to-play sci-fi RPG with a lengthy main campaign, fast-paced third-person combat, fully integrated co-op, extensive customization, and deep exploration.
For those looking for a game to immerse themselves in for countless hours, Warframe is a good choice. With frequent updates, it’s always evolving, offering a constant stream of new things to do, planets to visit, and missions to complete. Warframe is completely free to play and microtransactions are limited to cosmetics.
Read our Warframe overview.
Fallout Shelter
Originally released as an add-on to Fallout 4, Fallout Shelter is a management sim that puts players in the role of overseers of a shelter. The prestigious position gives them the opportunity to create, manage and ultimately manage one of the franchise’s iconic vaults, providing its inhabitants with food, shelter and happiness. Along the way, they have to build structures, collect resources, fight enemies and send residents on missions into the wasteland.
Fallout Shelter is completely free to play, and microtransactions are limited to purchasing loot boxes containing new inhabitants, pets, weapons, resources, and bottles of Quantum Nuka Cola that speed things up.
Read our Fallout Shelter Overview.
Super Kirby Clash
Super Kirby Clash brings back the adorable Nintendo mascot for a new adventure. This is a team game in which up to 4 players fight various bosses as Kirby and his allies. Playable with friends or AI partners, the game features four different classes with their own unique abilities.
Although Nintendo marketed Super Kirby Clash as a free-to-play game, with the implication that players would eventually gain access to a paywall, the campaign is completely free to play. Microtransactions are limited to the in-game currency Gem Apples, which allow you to purchase upgrades, stickers, and support items. However, Gem Apples can also be obtained by playing the game, meaning you don’t need to purchase them to get Super Kirby Clash credits.
Pokémon Quest
Reimagining the iconic pocket monster franchise as a loot-focused adventure game, Pokemon Quest is a unique take on one of Nintendo’s most original pieces. The game takes players to Tumblecube Island; a new realm filled with cube-shaped Pokémon known as Pokexel. Your task is to explore the island, defeat wild Pokécelles, train new Pokéxels, and manage your home base.
The main content of Pokemon Quest is completely free, and microtransactions are limited to upgrades that speed up progress.
Read our Overview of Pokémon Quest or check out our guide to best pokemon games.
The Elder Scrolls: Blades
In The Elder Scrolls: Blades, a free-to-play dungeon crawler set in the Elder Scrolls universe, players take on the role of one of the last surviving members of The Blades as they rebuild their city and complete various quests. Unlike other open world games in the Elder Scrolls series, Blades is a linear RPG in which players raid dungeons in search of loot and experience. They can then use the resources they find to rebuild their hometown, create a personal settlement that houses new NPCs, and complete side quests.
Along with the main campaign, Blades also features online PvP and an endless dungeon mode, allowing players to play through a randomly generated endless level for experience and other rewards.
Three modes of The Elder Scrolls: Blades are free to play. However, it is worth considering that the game has been heavily criticized for its obsessive microtransactions that slow down progress by making you wait for long game timers that are only accelerated by purchased currency.
Read our Review of The Elder Scrolls: Blades.
Braulhalla
Brawlhalla is a free-to-play platform fighting game featuring a tournament between ferocious warriors that lets you test your mettle against AI opponents or other online players. Choosing from a huge list of legendary heroes from different eras, you can fight both in solo and in team battles in several modes.
All Brawlhalla maps are free from the start and you can buy new fighters with the currency you earn in the game. As for microtransactions, they are focused on cosmetic items and instant unlocking of new fighters.
Just Dance (2023)
It’s worth noting right away that the free version of Just Dance 2023 includes only two songs: “Sweet But Psycho” by Ava Max and “Dynamite” by BTS. The remaining tracks of the game are unlocked when you pay for the full version.
Still, both songs are enough to give you a taste of the latest iteration of Ubisoft’s annual motion-based dance franchise. For those who haven’t jumped before, Just Dance teaches players how to dance to their favorite tracks, encouraging them to follow a set routine and stay in tune with the music. If they can keep up with the song, they will earn points, allowing them to set high scores and challenge their friends.
Yu-Gi-Oh! duel master
Konami believes this is the definitive video game adaptation of the cult card game Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is a free version of Yu-Gi-Oh! with up-to-date rules and cards. Along with a multiplayer mode that allows players to take on online opponents, Master Duel also features a single player mode that offers beginners the chance to learn the basics.
The base game of Master Duel is completely free, and microtransactions are limited to purchasing new card packs.
Sky: Children of the Light
Created by the creators of 2012’s Journey, Sky: Children of The Light is an open-world online adventure where players explore a desert landscape. Like Journey, the game is designed to connect with other people as players meet, interact and befriend each other without speaking.
Along the way, they will solve puzzles and piece together the mystery of the world of the Children of the Light and their place in it. The campaign is completely free, and in-game microtransactions are limited to cosmetics.
Read our Sky Review: Children of the Light
Looking for more free games? Check out our guide to the best free PS5 games or learn how to play Minecraft for free.
a little over a year Elden ring about 20.5 million copies have been sold. This is stated in the report of investors, published (by using ). “Resales of existing games such as Elden ring were strong, especially abroad, [with] worldwide sales reached 20.5 million,” Bandai Namco said in the document. The publisher adds that it expects a “rollback” of the game’s resales. However, if Elden ring can sell a few million more copies, it will be among the a list that includes headers like another .
The milestone comes one year after Elden ring was the best discovery for the name FromSoftware. In just 18 days Bandai Namco from the role-playing game. Pretty good for a game that was supposed to sell around 4 million copies in five days. Consistent high performance Elden ring good fit for the next FromSoftware game, . When it does, the game will be the first entry in the Armored Core series in almost a decade.
After Zero Build allowed players to compete without attachments last year, Epic Games has announced the next major update to Fortnite’s matchmaking system: multi-mode ranked play will be available to everyone starting with patch v24.40 this week.
Ranked Season Zero will be available in both the standard Battle Royale mode and Zero Build mode, and will run until the end of Chapter 4 Season 3 this summer. The timing will allow the Fortnite team to “make any adjustments to emerging issues and issues, and work on additional features and general improvements once ranked play begins as per the regular Battle Royale season schedule.”
Fortnite leaderboard.
Standard Battle Royale will allow Solo, Duo, and Squad ranks, while Build Zero will only allow Duo ranks in Season Zero. Ranks will also be split between Battle Royale and Zero Build, meaning players will be able to independently rank up in one format without affecting the other.
When Ranked Mode is activated, the player’s rank will increase or decrease depending on the following criteria:
Match placement
Number of eliminations both individually and as a team
Eliminations later in the match will count more than eliminations early in the match.
The ranks of retired opponent players are taken into account.
The team rank will be assigned based on the highest ranked player on the team.
For example, a team with a Gold 1 rank, two Silver 1 ranks, and a Bronze 2 rank will be assigned a Gold 1.
All players will start at the Bronze rank and work their way up through the ranks in the following order: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Elite, Champion, and Unreal. All levels from Bronze to Diamond will have three ranks, while Elite, Champion and Unreal will have one each.
Once a player reaches the Unreal rank, they stay there until the end of that season. However, they will also be given a number to indicate their position among all other Unreal-level players around the world, which they can also track on a dedicated Unreal leaderboard. If you don’t want to be shown on the leaderboard, you can hide yourself from the list in your privacy settings.
Finally, special cosmetic rewards will also be available in this new mode in the form of Ranked Urgent Quests, which must be completed in a single match. The final reward for Ranked Season 0 is the Burn Bright Emote.
Fortnite is now available to download for free on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobile devices. Ranked mode will be available with the implementation of patch v24.40, which is scheduled for this Tuesday, May 16th.
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